Nebraska Tourism VisitNebraska.gov

Peter Kiewit Foundation Sculpture Garden offers 1.2 acres of garden galleries for additional viewing alfresco. Down the road, the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln has one of the most important collections of American art in the United States. Before you even enter, you’ll notice the impressive sculpture garden. And once

you’re inside, over 12,000 works will fill your appetite for art! For an art experience that’s a little more homegrown, stop by the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) in Kearney. Focused on works about Nebraska or by Nebraska artists, MONA provides a glimpse into the soul of the state from the perspective of those who interpret it through the arts.

WiLD tiMeSRanked the best zoo in America by Reader’s Digest, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo offers visitors some of the most advanced, engaging animal exhibits in the world. the zoo is home to several of the world’s largest indoor habitats including a rain forest, a desert, and a nocturnal exhibit. the zoo also features a state-of-the-art gorilla habitat, orangutan forest, walk-through shark tank, and an overhead tram that provides sky-high views of the zoo grounds and exhibits. Just north of the zoo is the city’s newly revived downtown. enjoy some of the Midwest’s most acclaimed restaurants. take in the music scene. Soak up the area’s history in the Old Market while you shop an array of unique modern stores. Downtown Omaha offers a variety of accommodations from the economical to the exquisite.

ARtiStic eNDeAvORSNebraska’s largest and most notable art museum is undoubtedly Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. this art deco masterpiece houses an even more astonishing array of masterworks, including pieces in its permanent collec-tion by edgar Degas, claude Monet, Dale chihuly, and George Segal. And the recently opened

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The best of both worlds does exist. Tallgrass prairies and fertile

farms neighbor bustling cities and world-class attractions. Stroll

through art galleries. Float down scenic waterways. Embark on a

historical journey. Nowhere is the juxtaposition of city and country

so compelling as in Nebraska.

Escape from the Everyday

Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln

Old Market, Omaha

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha

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FRUit OF tHe viNeit’s not surprising that a state with a knack for growing things is fast becoming known as a hot spot for wineries. After all, the jump from breadbasket to wine cellar isn’t such a big one. Across the state, more than 200 vineyards take advan-tage of fertile soil and ideal growing conditions to produce some very tasty varieties. Spend a pleasant afternoon tour-ing the vineyards, tasting a variety of award-winning wines, and purchasing a bottle or two of your favorites. Whether you prefer red or white, semisweet or dry, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.

Get OUt AND GOSpine-tingling outdoor excursions can be found across the state, so be prepared for an awe-inspiring escapade what-ever adventure you choose. Your group will appreciate the beautiful scenery and winding trails of chadron State Park and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. in central Nebraska, Fort Kearny State Recreation Area leads you across the Platte River, where morning and evening ventures yield sightings of the state’s magnificent wildlife. even without a coast, Nebraska claims an abundance of wet and wild fun along its waterways. the Niobrara

National Scenic River is one of the most versatile destinations for water recreation. explore the river via tube, kayak, or canoe. try navigating the snaking Loup River the good old Nebraska way: a floating livestock tank filled with friends and fun. Or hit the eastern stretches of the Platte River via airboat for a fast-paced adventure along picturesque shores.

James Arthur Vineyards, Raymond

Bryson’s Airboat Tours, Fremont

Tanking the Middle Loup River, Mullen

Chadron State Park, Chadron

Niobrara National

Scenic River, Valentine

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Nebraska Tourism VisitNebraska.gov3.

HiStORicALLY iNcLiNeDNebraska truly is pioneer country. And when your group travels to Nebraska, you can see firsthand the geological formations that guided waves of pioneers across the prairie. visit Scotts Bluff National Monument for a glimpse into this storied past. Genuine wagon ruts and remnants of the Oregon trail enable you to trace the steps of settlers who came before you. An even more recognizable land-

mark is chimney Rock. visible from more than 20 miles away, the towering spire let weary travelers know they were on the right path. in addition to natural landmarks, Nebraska boasts a large number of historically rich attractions. One such spot—the Great Platte River Road Archway near Kearney—walks visitors through America’s westward journey, bringing the pioneer road to life through mul-timedia exhibits including film, computer graphics, life-size dioramas, and more.

the sandhill cranes – a natural phenomenon it’s like clockwork . . . every spring for about the past 10 million years, one of the most impressive wildlife events has occurred right here in Nebraska. Between mid-February and mid-April, half a million sandhill cranes gather along the Platte River valley as they make their annual migration north. to give your group a bird’s-eye view of this mesmerizing phenomenon, you’ll want to head to Grand island and Kearney. Named by Forbes FYI magazine as the world’s number one destination for bird-watchers, Grand island offers a variety of dining options, shopping, and attractions to keep you occupied when you’re not mingling with your feathered friends.

Chimney Rock, Bayard

Great Platte River Road Archway, KearneyR.

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4.VisitNebraska.gov Nebraska Tourism

FROM RAiLROADS tO RODeOSif transcontinental travel shaped Nebraska, then it posi-tively defined Omaha. At the Durham Museum, you’ll find compelling, hands-on exhibits about the history of Omaha and how the railroad pushed it from cow town to boomtown. the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand island, too, recognizes the importance of the railroad with a living history experience like no other. in the summer months, Railroad town—the museum’s own 1890s village—is buzzing with townspeople dressed in period clothing. the town depicts pioneer life with more than 60 original structures including shops, homes, and barns.

Of course, you can’t talk about the Old West without mentioning cowboys. At the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park in North Platte, you’ll learn all about the life of one of the most famous cowboys, including his stint as a Pony express rider, his famous Wild West Show, and his scouting experiences.

DiG RiGHt iNNebraska also has some bragging rights when it comes to ancient history. case in point—Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. check out the newly expanded Rhino Barn to see fossils of barrel-bodied rhinos, camels, horses, saber-toothed deer, and more, all which are being carefully uncovered within full view of the visiting public. in addition, Nebraska is home to the world’s premier collection of mammoths and mastodons. Lincoln’s University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History, also known as elephant Hall,

wows visitors with its massive fossil structures, the largest being a 14-foot male mammoth. the collection began more than 100 years ago and is made up of over one million specimens. in addition to the ancient elephants, Jurassic dinosaurs and prehistoric rhinos and horses are also on display. two more great spots to get the dirt on paleontologi-cal finds are Agate Fossil Beds National Monument near Harrison and the Hudson-Meng Research and education center near crawford. if you’re in the area and wanting to do a little digging yourself, make a stop at High Plains Homestead. the unique guest ranch offers guided and unguided fossil hunting excursions.

Naturally wonderful if you’re really looking to get away from it all, there’s no better place to be than toadstool Geologic Park. in fact, you may have to blink twice before realizing you’re still on the same planet. Fur traders once called the land terres mauvais, meaning badlands, but it’s really a matter of perspec-tive. today’s travelers consider the peculiar lunarlike landscape a perfect spot for exploration.

POSSiBiLitieS . . . eNDLeSSPlanning a group getaway to Nebraska is easy, so get started today. Simply check out the Group travel Planner at VisitNebraska.gov, or contact individual destinations for information on group packages and planning.

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, North Platte

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park,

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VisitNebraska.gov • 888-444-1867, Dept. 0LGW